Cross-slab

The National Monuments Service's description

One of six cross-slabs (DU018-278-/283-) now located inside St Patrick’s Cathedral (DU018-020269-).  Granite cross-slab (exposed L 0.46m x Wth 0.37m) built into the ceiling of the triforium passage above the central pier on the S side of the choir of St Patrick’s Cathedral (DU018-020269-). Thomas Drew (1901, 296) described the location of this slab in 1901 as follows; ‘The ceiling of the triforium passage, familiarly known as the "Monks' Walk," which bonds an inner to an outside wall, is formed of great flagstones. Three of these have been observed to be ancient granite tombstones, with raised crosses cut on them, identical in character with the St. Patrick's Well stone [DU018-282----]’. The decoration consists of a shallow recessed cross in a double incised circle. There are also small subtriangular recessed areas in each quadrant (Ó hÉailidhe 1973, 61-2; Swords 2009, No. 8, 77). 

Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien

References

Swords, K. (ed.) 2009 Pre-Norman grave-slabs and cross-inscribed stones in the Dublin region. 2009 edition of an NUIG MA thesis prepared in 1985. Tallaght, Dublin. Local Studies Section, South Dublin Library. Ó hÉailidhe, P. 1973 Early Christian graveslabs in the Dublin region. Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland 103, 51-64.